Book Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love. - Goodreads


After reading Lauren Oliver’s debut YA novel Before I Fall - and loving it - I was extremely excited to find that she was bringing out a second book this year. And, to make matters even more exciting for me, the book was going to be a dystopian YA novel. As you can probably imagine, there were various happy dances, lots of childish laughter and multiple instances in which I ran around the house telling anyone who would listen. 


Shortly after, I decided to have a look on NetGalley and was absolutely amazed to find that they offered a galley of Delirium for review. Yes. I was in heaven. So I requested the galley, received it, and here we are. 


I started reading as soon as I could, and found that - as with Before I Fall - I just couldn’t put this book down. Not that I tried that hard, mind you. 


The book begins with our main protagonist, Lena, introducing us to her world. It quickly becomes known - and by quickly, I mean in the first couple of lines - that in this world, love is considered a disease and must be cured at all costs. We immediately get a feel for what this world is like, and then as Lena and her best friend Hana prepare for their evaluation we learn even more. And what an interesting world it is. 


The plot takes off immediately, and doesn’t stop. At no point did I find that I was forcing myself to read this book, as the non stop action and events kept me going. The characters were brilliant as well.


Lena is an interesting main character, with a complex back story thrown in. Her views on relationships and love somewhat annoyed me to begin with, but I did understand that this was the way that she had been raised. And if I had been brought up in that society, I would be hesitant to get too close to anyone as well!


Lena’s best friend is a funny, bold girl named Hana. I really loved her, and although she wasn’t in the book that much, each scene she was in she was pretty much the star. Until Alex came along, that is. 


I won’t say too much about Alex, because I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say that I truly loved his character. He was cheeky, clever and also rather sneaky (you’ll understand when you read it), and this made him a brilliant and attractive character. 


The ending… what can I say about the ending other than it’s gripping, action-packed, and left me wanting so much more due to the unexpected cliffhanger! And what a cliffhanger it was. Normally, I would be annoyed at this, but as Delirium is the first book of a trilogy, I really don’t mind. I’m just so psyched to read the next book, Pandemonium, already! 


There is one instance of mild language, but it’s only one time, and I feel that it suited the situation. I’m not one to condone vile language, so you can trust me on this one. 


I highly recommend this book to just about anyone. Those who are interested in dystopian fiction, definitely pick it up, but if you’re one of those who likes a good romance, then this would also be a good book for you! Delirium definitely deserves all the hype it has been surrounded by.

Rating: 9/10

You can find this book on

Amazon|Book Depository

Delirium #1

Published on February 1, 2011 by HarperCollins

Galley, 305 pages

ISBN-13: 978-0061726828